Washing machine



April 26, 1932.

E. VANDECAN WASHING MACHI NE Filed Jan. 18, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l far fdazlara 51741217512 April 26, 1932. E. VANDE.CAN

WASHING MACHINE Filed Jan. 18, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNITED STATEZF VPATENT OFFICE EDOUARD VANDECAN, F RENFREW, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR TO THE RENFREW MACHINERY COMPANY LIMITED, OF RENFREW, ONTARIO, CANADA WASHING- MACHINE Application filed January 18, 1930. Serial No. 421,762.

This invention relates to improvements in washing machines and particularly to cover attachments for washing machines.

An object of the invention is to provide a combination cover which will function to close the container of the washing machine and at the same time may be adapted as a scrubbing board.

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination cover of this character which will completely seal the container and retain the water completely within during the movement of the container.

lVith these and other objects in view the invention consists essentially of a combination cover including a framework adapted to be hinged to the container and to fit around the container opening, and a closure member for the framework in the form of a corrugated board in turn hinged to the framework or merely a corrugated sliding cover for the container opening and the provision of suittable slopedguideways within the container associated with the opening, as more fully described in the present specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form part of the same. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a washing machine in assembly.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the container. Figure 3 is a section on the line 33 of Figure 2. M Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail on the line 4.- l of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional detail of a modified form of my invention.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view of a different form of corrugated surface which may be adopted in connection with the cover.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, A designates the framework of the washing machine and B indicates the container. lhe container is of the oscillatory type and is swingably mounted on the framework A by means of pintles 10 and 11 extending from the sides of the container slightly above centre, the pintle 10 being longer than the pintle 11 to receive thereon the oscillating handle 12.

Between the framework A and extensions 13 formed on the handle structure, springs 1a are provided in order to stabilize the structure and return it to normal position during oscillation.

The framework A is also provided with the raised structure 15 to accommodate the usual wringer which is mounted on this framework in proximity to the container opening.

The container B is of substantially semicircular form, as clearly illustrated in Figures l and 3, and is provided with the usual opening 16 in the top thereof for introducing the clothes to be washed.

Interiorly of the container baffle members 17 are rigidly secured which extend across the width of the container and abut the side walls to provide between the end walls, side walls and baflie, suction pockets 18. Coming now to the salient feature of my invention, the opening 16 is normally closed by a combination cover member which consists, in the preferred form of my device, in a frame 19 which is of any suitable shape adapted to fit the opening16, the frame consisting of the longitudinal and transverse members 20 and 21 respectively, which are flanged or otherwise formed as at 22 and, as particularly illustrated in Figure 3, provided'with a head 23 around the upper edge.

This frame 19 is hinged to the container in any suitable manner which may take the form of extensions of the beading core 24 extending through strap members 25 so that the frame 19 may hinge about the straps25 and fit snugly within the opening of the container, the bead 23 hearing on the top part of the container around the opening 16 providing a close and sealed fit. 7

The frame 19 is provided with a closure member 26 which is corrugated transversely thereof and hinged to the frame as at 27 so that it may move independently of the frame. The closure member 26 is larger than the opening enclosed by the frame so that in combination with the frame 19 a complete and solid cover is provided, the cover member 26 bearing on the beading 22 formed around the interior of the frame 19.

Interiorly of the container B the baffle members 28 and 29 are provided and are secured to the top of the container as particularly illustrated in Figure 3, and extend transversely within the container terminating at each side wall. These baflies serve to direct tie water within the container during oscillation and to shield the container opening, while the baffle 29 is formed with a flange or lip 30 which functions as a retaining flange for the closure member 26 of the cover, the free end of which bears on this flange while the cover is in closed position, this position of the closure member being indicated in dotted lines in Figure 3.

The closure member 26 of the cover, as previously submitted, swings on its hinges 27 independently of the frame 19 and is adapted to extend into the container under certain conditions. To this end rigid supports 31 of any suitable form, and preferably of oval shape as clearly disclosed in Figure 3, are provided on the side walls of the container. These supports are placed on each side wall opposite one another and are provided with a sloped bearing surface 32 of considerable longitudinal area which is designed to engage with the sides of the closure member 26 when it is positioned within the container B so that the supports hold this member in open position within the container as clearly shown in Figure 3. The length of the supports is such as to obviate the closure member 26 from swinging past one end of the supports might be the case were they of restricted area and positioned approximately in the container at the point where the end of the closure member 26 would pass when it is swung into the container. In this manner, when the closure member 26 is in its open position as shown in Fig. 3, a scrubbing board is readily provided placed in the usual position a board of this character is positioned in the ordinary tub, and which may be conveniently used by the operator in the ordinary manner so that apart from functioning as a closure member for the container in combination with the frame 19, a very useful attachment in the form of a scrubbing board is provided.

In operation, after the clothes have been given the usual washing operation through oscillation of the container, if it is desired to use a scrubbing board, then the cover, which may be normally locked in closed position by any suitable locking means such as the locking member 33 (not necessarily required), is raised on the hinges 24 of the frame through the medium of the frame 19. During the initial part of this raising motion, the closure member 26 moves with the frame 19 and, due to the nature of the hinge connections 24 and 25 between the frame 19 and the top of the container. the frame 19 and closure member 26 move, during this initial period, with a combined rising and retracting motion as the hinge portions 24 turn upwardly in the straps 25 and when this retracting movement has continued to a certain extent the closure member 26 has been retracted sufficiently so that its free end is withdrawn from engagement above the retaining lip 30 and disengages therefrom, at which time the closure member 26 is free to swing downwardly about its hinge connection 27, with respect to the frame 19 and independently thereof into its downwardly inclined or open position within the container, where it contacts with the bearing surface 32 of the supports 31 within the container and, on return of the frame 19 to its normal closed position fitting within the opening 16 of the container, as shown in Figure 3, the closure member 26 is held in rigid sloped position within the containerB,as shown in full lines in Figure 3,thus constituting a very handy scrubbing board.

To return the closure member to its normal position it is only necessary to raise the frame 19 which consequently raises the closure member 26 from within the container which may be swung on its hinges 27 back into bearing contact with the frame 19 when the cover memberas a whole will be returned to normal position closing the opening 16 in the container.

As previously stated, the combination cover forms a tight sealing fit within the opening 16 of the container and in addition to this the baffle members 28 and 29 extending transversely within the container serve to break the direct force of the water in the container on the cover during oscillation of the container so that water-tight closure is provided.

A modified form of this type of structure is illustrated in Figure 6 in which a combination cover is provided. On each side of the opening 16 a sloping guideway 34 is provided formed by the substantially parallel guide members 35. At one end of the opening 16 a downwardly turned flange 36 is provided which is formed with a li 37 designed to accommodate the cover mem er. Secured to the top of the container B and associated with the opening 16 are the oblique guideways 38 which are formed by the guide members 39 and the retaining end member 40. These guideways 38 are open at the top, the opening of the guideways 34 and 38 respectively connecting. The guide members 39, with the guideways 38 formed thereby, constitute rigid supports within the container B for rigidly retaining a cover member 41 in a downwardly inclined position within the container as will presently be explained.

A corrugated cover member 41 is provided for the container which is formed with an upwardly and inwardly turned flange or head 42 to provide a gripping means therefor and the cover maybe slid into the guideways 34 "to normally close the opening 16 so that the hers 35 and the end of the cover is engaged by the flange 36 and lip 37, the other end of the cover extending over the opening 16 to rest on the top of the container. Thus the container is completely closed and may be oscillated.

On the other hand, if it is desired to provide a scrubbing board, it is only necessary to grasp the cover 41. by means of the flangle or bead 42 and withdraw it through a sh ing movement from engagement in the gu deway 34: and then insert it into the oblique guideways 38 to thus extend rigidly in sloped position within the container and provide a scrubbing board similar to the preferred form as previously described.

It will thus be seen that a very useful combination article is provided and it will be noted that the scrubbing board structure is particularly adapted to the type of tub illustrated, the stop lugs protruding from the walls only a slight distance to rigidly hold the board, so that they do not interfere in any way during normal operation.

Various modifications may be made in th s invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the claims, and therefore the exact forms shown are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense, and it is desired that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are disclosed in the prior art or are set forth in the accompanying claims.

What I claim as my invention 1s:-

1. The combination with a washing machine having an oscillating container and provided with an opening in the top thereof, of a cover member for said opening including a framework marginally overlying the edges of said opening, said framework hingedly connected to the top of the conta ner and swingable upwardly therefrom, an independently movable corrugated closure element hingedly connected to the underside of the framework, means on said container ad acent said opening for retaining the closure element in contact with the framework during normal closed position of the cover member to seal the opening, and means mounted within the container for retaining said closure element in rigid sloped position within the container when said closure element is in downwardly swung position.

. 2. The combination with a washing machine having an oscillating container provided with an opening therein, of a cover member for said opening including a framework hingedly connected to the container, a corrugated closure element hinged to the framework and independently movable thereof, means on said container adjacent said opening for retaining the closure element in contact with the sides and ends of the framework in normal closed position to seal the opening, supporting means mounted within the container for supporting said closure element in rigid sloped position when said closure element is moved independently of the framework, means within the container for shielding the edges of the opening when said framework and closure element are in normal closed position, and a beading formed 8. In a washing machine, including aclothes container having an opening therein, a combination cover member for said opening comprising a framework composed of longitudinal and transverse members hinged to the container and formed with a head around the periphery thereof adapted to overlap and abut the container opening when in closed position, acorrugated closure element for said framework independently movable thereof, means on said container adjacent said opening for retaining the closure element in engagement with the members of the framework in normal closed position to completely seal the opening, and lugs formed on each side of the interior of the container whereby said closure element will abut said lugs when moved within the container inde pendently of the framework to support the closure element in sloped position.

4. In awashing machine, including a con mally engage with the closure element and retain said closure element in closed position in contact with the framework to seal the opening, and supporting means mounted within the container for rigidly supporting the closure element in sloped position.

5. In a washing machine, including an oscillatable container provided with an opening in the top thereof, the combination of a cover for said opening including a framework, a corrugated closure element connected to the framework and independently movable thereof, bafl'le members within the container and marginally underlying the opening, one of said battles being formed with a lip adapted to engage with and retain the 010- sure element in normal closed position contacting with the framework and closing the opening.

6. In a washing machine, including an oscillatable container provided with an opening in the top thereof, the combination of a cover for said opening including a marginal framework upwardly swingable from the top ofthe container, a closure element connected to the framework and downwardly SK ingable therefrom, battle members within the container and marginally underlying the open ing, one of said baffles being formed with a lip adapted to engage with and retain the closure element in normal closed position contacting with the underside of the framework and sealing the opening, and lugs formed on each side of the container adapted to rigidly support the closure element in sloped position within the container when said closure element is swung downwardly from the framework.

7. In a washing machine, including a container having an opening therein, a cover element for said opening comprising a framework hingedly connected to the container and a closure element for said framework hingedly connected to the framework and independently movable with respect to the framework, said closure element adapted to extend within the container when desired, and means formed on the container for retaining the closure element in engagement with the framework and shielding the oint formed between the framework and the closure element when said element is in closed position.

8. The combination in a washing machine including an oscillatable container having an opening in the top thereof, of a cover member for said opening comprising a frame marginally overlying said opening and having sealing engagement therewith, said frame hing-edly connected to the container top and swingable upwardly therefrom, a corrugated closure element hingedly connected to the frame and swingable downwardly therefrom, said closure element adapted to selectively occupy a raised position underlying and abutting against the under side of the frame, in which raised position it forms a complete and effective seal for said frame, said closure element also adapted to selectively occupy a lowered position downwardly swung from the frame in which lowered position it forms a scrubbing board Within the container, retaining means adapted to releasably secure the closure element in its raised sealing position with respect to the frame, and means for rigidly supporting the closure element in its lowered position within the container upon release of the aforesaid means.

9. The device according to claim 8 in which the hinge connection of the closure element to the frame and the hinge connection of the frame to the container top are located adjacent to the same end of the cover member, and the retaining means for securing the closure element in raised sealing position comat the end thereof remote from the aforesaid hinge connection.

10. The combination in a washing machine including an oscillatable container having an opening in the top thereof, opposed marginal channelled recesses formed at opposite sides and one end of said opening, opposed channelled guideways on opposite side walls of the container, said guideways leading at an inclination downwardly into the container from the end of the opening in the top thereof, and a corrugated closure member selectively adapted for sealing engagement within the said channelled recesses to form a complete closure for sealing the opening in the top of the container and for insertion downwardly into said downwardly inclined guideways to form a scrubbing board within the container.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

EDOUARD VANDEOAN. 

